Advising in the Life Science Program

Course in three disciplines have been created that prepare our students to transfer seamlessly to the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) or to the Universities at Shady Grove (USG).  Maryland-bound students in the Life Sciences program should be strongly advised to fulfill UMCP requirements for the Biological Sciences majors by taking the following course sequences. These courses were developed in collaboration with UMCP faculty and are equivalent to required courses taken by UMCP students.

1)      Calculus for Life Science I & II (MC, MATH 170/171; UMCP, MATH 130/131)

·         Highlights the importance of  understanding  the fundamental concepts of Calculus through a life science lens

·         The College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) at UMCP recommends our MATH 170/171 sequence over our MATH 181/182 sequence.

·         Students in the Life Science program are strongly encouraged to complete two semesters of Calculus. Take both semesters at MC! The approach and textbook will be the same.

2)      Physics for Life Science I & II (MC PHYS 233/234; UMD PHYS 131/132).

·         Preferred physics sequence for Biological Science majors.

·         Students on a pathway that allows them to complete their first semester of Calculus with at least two semesters remaining at MC, should be strongly encouraged to take the Physics for Life Science sequence prior to leaving MC.  Required in the junior year of the Biological Sciences program at UMCP and USG, students who are mathematically prepared will benefit from taking physics as part of their sophomore sequence.

3)      Principles of Biology III (MC BIOL 252; UMD BSCI 207)

·         MC’s BIOL 252 transfers as the third of three “Principles” courses at UMCP and provides the foundation for junior- and senior-level coursework at UMCP and USG. 

·         This course is a Biological Sciences program requirement at UMCP and USG (preferred over microbiology).  It is generally taken in the first semester of the sophomore year.

I encourage you to advise your students to enroll in these courses if appropriate.  Each transfer has specific and equivalent courses to UMCP and USG.  If you or your students have any questions or concerns about these courses, please feel free to contact me directly (240-567-1690 or james.sniezek@montgomerycollege.edu). Students are also encouraged to contact a Life Science Program advisor.  They are:  Dr. Gina Wesley, Rockville; Dr. Lori Kelman, Germantown; and Dr. Valerie Lantz, Takoma Park/ Silver Spring.